Hello dear readers! This is the first in my re-upload as it was the last story I was doing updates for. I will upload everything I have of this story first, as well as the newest chapter, before moving on to the other stories. for those returning fans, happy to see you again, and to the newcomers, hope you enjoy!
The answer to his troubles?
Another day of school, another day of realizing he was probably going to be alone for the rest of his life. At least, that was how Clyde saw things in his life.
Sure he was only twelve, soon to be thirteen, but his best friend had already gotten a girlfriend. Granted the two of them broke up before long, or weren't even a couple according to each other. And it seemed like everyone else were on their way to getting partners of their own.
From the way things were going, it seemed like Lincoln and Stella were about to become a couple, even Rusty and Zach seemed to be making some moves on their respective girls. But Clyde? He didn't have anyone, none of the girls in their age group seemed interested in him. All the girls he was even intrigued by either already had boyfriends, or wanted nothing to do with the boy.
Instead of heading home after school like he usually would, Clyde decided on going for a walk around the town before either of his dads got home. The boy didn't feel like sitting alone in his house, at least this way he was out with the people walking the streets. "Is this what my life is going to be like? Walking around in crowds to try and feel less alone?" Clyde thought to himself as he kept glancing at all the passerby's.
His hands gripping the straps on his backpack as he walked, Clyde continued along the streets of Royal Woods. The boy didn't know where he was going, he had no plan in mind, just aimlessly walking until he figured it out.
Passing by a small ice cream shop, Clyde glanced in the window to see his friend Rusty with some girl Clyde didn't recognize. "Huh? Is that a new girl? I haven't seen her around school before". Clyde wondered as he watched the two.
As he stared at them, Clyde noticed that they were holding hands, and seemed to be having a really good time. The boy was wondering whether this was a first date or if Rusty had been hiding this relationship from them, either way, he could tell the two were more than friends. And that suspicion was confirmed when he saw the two lean in for a kiss over the banana split they were sharing.
"No way! Rusty got a girlfriend before me now too? God damnit! What is wrong with me huh? Why is it so difficult?" Clyde wondered to himself as he watched the two make out. His anger growing, Clyde stormed off down the street, not even reacting as he bumped into a few of the people walking past. Every damn time, always other people, never him, why was it never him?
Clyde couldn't think on anything else but those two making out, another person he knew finding their special someone. He was a nice enough guy right? Unless maybe that was the problem? Clyde remembered an old saying, that nice guys finish last or something. The more he thought about it, the more the boy was thinking that statement couldn't be more true. Girls his age, or most girls that even, didn't want a gentleman. They say they do but, in reality, they just want a loser, someone like Rusty.
Sure, he could always explain away his crush never being interested because she already had a boyfriend, not to mention the age difference. But the girls at his school, what reasons did they have for shunning him? For never saying yes? Clyde wondered why he wasn't good enough for anyone.
As he finally stopped running, Clyde looked around at his surroundings, nothing seemed familiar to him and the boy wondered where he was. "Crap am I gonna be able to find my way back now?" Clyde pondered as he tried looking around for any discernible landmarks. But the more he searched, the more Clyde realized he was lost, having never really walked around this part of the town before.
Deciding to keep moving and hope he found something recognizable, Clyde pulled on his backpack and started walking. The area looked like the bad part of town that his dads told him to keep clear of or never walk around alone in.
Clyde knew the type of people who roamed the streets too, the ones who preyed on the young, weak ones like him. The boy just hoped that he could find his way back home sooner rather than later, he didn't want to have to call his dads. They were always worrying about him as it was, they'd never leave him alone if the two had to come get him here. But he also didn't want to still be out here when it got dark, he'd most surely get taken right off the street.
"Come on, I couldn't have gone that far could I? M-maybe I should just ask someone...not everyone around here is bad right?" Clyde thought as he got the attention of someone walking by. "Excuse me sir cou-" Clyde began before the man snapped at him. "Shut up you snot-nosed brat. Get outta my way!". The man grunted before going about his business.
"Okay then. Maybe they all are terrible. Ugh this sucks". Clyde said aloud as he stood on the sidewalk, wondering which way he should go. "Excuse me young man, do you require assistance?" Clyde turned to see an old woman looking at him, a creepy smile on her face. "Um...Yeah. I'm a bit lost, maybe you can point me in the right direction?" Clyde asked. "Of course, just follow me into my shop and we'll get you squared away in no time". The woman told him as she turned and motioned towards her little store.
Clyde looked up to the sign posted above and saw that she was some sort of psychic. "Ha, really? A psychic? Ah, might as well". Clyde thought as he shrugged before heading inside.
Watching as the elderly woman walked through a beaded entryway, Clyde followed her into the room, seeing a table in the middle of it with a crystal ball stood atop it. "Wow, pulling out all the stops here aren't you lady". Clyde thought to himself "Please, please, sit down. I'm sure you will find all that you seek here". The woman said to him as she motioned to the seat across from her.
"I just need help finding my way back home...that's all". Clyde told her. "Ah yes, but there's more to it than that. There's other problems in your life that trouble you aren't there boy?" The psychic asked. "U-Uhhh...I-I guess so yeah. What do you mean?" Clyde replied.
"Sit down and all will become clear". She repeated. "Might as well. How much trouble could one old lady give me if things go bad?" Clyde thought to himself. Dropping his backpack to the floor, Clyde took a seat across from the elderly woman, who started waving her hands around her crystal ball. "I see that things have been troubling you lately, feelings of inadequacy that stem from a longing for a connection you think you will never find". The psychic said as she looked the boy in the eyes.
His eyes wide as dinner plates, Clyde returned her gaze, wondering just how she knew what she knew. "I...I don't feel inadequate. I'm a great guy, what do I have to feel bad about?" He asked her. "Why, the fact that you don't have a girlfriend yet my boy. I can feel your turmoil over it. It pains you greatly to see everyone else around you finding respective partners while you remain alone". She told him.
"And what do you know? I could get a girl anytime I want. It's just that none of the ones around here are interested in the type of man I am". Clyde defensively replied. "Oh is that so? Well maybe I have something here in my shop that will help you see the man you truly are". She said before getting up and walking over to the shelves lining one of her walls. Clyde watched as she looked around for a moment before apparently finding what she was searching for.
The item looked like a necklace with some type of amulet attached. Holding it up in front of Clyde, she smirked at him before explaining it's use. "This talisman has been used by many people over the years. By those who sought to control others with it's power. Use it to make their deepest desires come true". The psychic told him before moving it closer to him.
"With this, you can make those you desire...lust after you in return. Make them love you if you so choose. Whatever your heart desires, and whatever you will commands, shall be done. But be warned, too much, and the effect may become...permanent. And another thing of note, the affected person will not remember any action that transpired during it's use". She explained as she held the talisman out to him. "A-And I can just take it?" Clyde asked. "Even though I'm sure this is just a bunch of crap". He thought.
"Well, for a meager amount of currency, and your eternal soul, yes. You can". She answered. "Hehe, okay lady. Whatever you say". Clyde thought as he pulled out his wallet.
"I have about ten dollars on me...is that enough?" Clyde asked. Chuckling a bit before turning into full-blown laughter, the woman smiled back at him. "Yes young man, that will do just fine". She answered. And dropped the amulet into his hand, while he handed her his cash.
"Now remember, use it wisely. Too much on the same person could ruin their mind". The psychic told him. "Okay...oh you still haven't told me which way to go to head home". Clyde said. "Why, you have the answer right there". She replied. "T-The talisman can show me?" He asked. Rolling her eyes, the psychic shook her head. "No, I was referring to the device in your pocket. Your phone, the one with a GPS on it". She told him.
Clyde facepalmed. Of course, his phone, why didn't he think of that sooner. "Duh, well thank you miss…Um I never caught your name". Clyde realized as he raised his brow at her. "My name is not important my dear. Just go forth and make your desires come true". She told him before bidding him farewell.
Heading back outside, Clyde used the map on his phone to find his way back home, arriving just an hour before either of his dads showed up.
That night as Clyde laid in bed, he held the amulet in his hand. Twisting and turning the object as he was studying it. "Whatever your heart desires, and your will commands…" The psychic's words echoed in his mind and he wondered if it was possible for it to be true.
As he thought about it though, the boy realized he didn't even bother to ask her how to use the darn thing. "Crap, well...maybe, if it even works, maybe I just have to say it and it'll come true?" Clyde asked himself aloud. "I guess I could try it tomorrow, see if something like this could actually be real". Clyde said to himself as he went to sleep.
The following day, Clyde wondered who he should try it on, if it didn't work he didn't want it to blow up in his face. So if he used it on the right person and things went south, at least he could pass it off as a joke or something stupid. "Hey Clyde how ya doing?" Lincoln called out as Clyde turned to see his best friend approaching him.
"Oh hey buddy. I'm doing good, you?" Clyde replied. "Eh, same as always. Nothing new". Lincoln said with a shrug. "Huh, if it doesn't work on Lincoln, I could just laugh it off with him...yeah. Just start out with something simple". Clyde thought. Pulling the amulet from his pocket, Clyde wondered whether to hold it out or if just wearing it would be enough. It was then that he got an idea.
Putting the necklace over his head, Clyde drew attention to it. "Hey Lincoln, you like my new bling?" Clyde asked. "Huh, looks kinda cool dude. When did you get that?" Lincoln asked. "Oh just yesterday. So...I want you to give me all the money you got on you right now". Clyde commanded.
Blinking rapidly a few times, Lincoln shook his head before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet. Clyde couldn't believe it, it was actually working. The Loud boy then pulled out fifteen dollars in cash and handed it to Clyde. "Damn…it really works. How the hell...nope, not even gonna question it. Um, well now does the effect just stop after a certain amount of time or…" Clyde wondered to himself as he took the money and stared at his friend's blank expression.
"Maybe if I…Okay, that is all". Clyde said. And with that, Lincoln blinked his eyes again and looked around for a second in confusion before shrugging. "So we still on for the arcade later?" Lincoln asked his friend. "O-Oh yeah. S-Sure thing buddy. Looking forward to it". Clyde responded.
"Cool, well...guess we should start heading to class. The bell's about to ring". Lincoln said. "Y-Yeah, let's go". Clyde agreed as the two headed off to class.
"Man, I can't believe this thing actually works. And I got if for dirt cheap too, seems like everything's coming up Clyde! Haha. This is going to be great. And I know just the next person to use this on". Clyde thought to himself as he smirked.
I won't be doing these author/ footnotes for all my returning stories/chapters. Just the intros and anything new that I'll be posting. Outside of that, I hope you all enjoy the stories I'll be posting and look forward to returning to the fanfiction game and interacting with you all again. As always, any feedback is welcome and hope you all have a good day/night! Stay safe.